Making disciples of all the nations

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20.

Here we see the commission the apostles received from Jesus. It was not merely to come “to the foot of the cross,” as we are invited to do in many hymns and by many so-called evangelists – there to unload our burden of sinSin is anything that goes against God’s will and His laws. To commit sin is to transgress or disobey these laws. The lust to sin dwells in human nature. In other words, it is contaminated and motivated by the sinful tendencies that dwell in all people as a result of the fall into sin and disobedience in the garden of Eden. This... More. If people do this, they are reckoned to be born-again Christians. However, Jesus’ invitation to follow Him implied much more; it had a deeper content, which the apostles were to teach people when they invited them to come to Jesus. They were to make disciples of them.

Peddlers of God’s Word

There are many people who have the ministry of getting people to believe in the forgiveness of their sins and to seek God when they are in need so they can receive help and blessings. Once they have helped them to get to that point, they are satisfied. Their further work is to strengthen them and preserve them in that faith, which can often be a difficult task.

Jesus spoke in such a way that many had come to faith in Him. “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” John 8:30-36. We know what happened afterwards. When He tried to make disciples of them, they began to hate Him. It is just the same today. Many of those who call themselves Christians and believe they are born againBeing born again is an event that takes place in every true Christian’s life at some point. You “put off” your previous way of living and thinking, living according to the lust to sin in your flesh. You are born anew into a life with Christ; you become a new creation that is Spiritual and eternal. “Therefore, if anyone is... More would become the “evangelist’s” enemiesMost often when a Christian refers to his or her “enemies” they are speaking about the sin in their flesh and the temptations and lusts that arise from there. These are enemies because they tempt us to act contrary to the will of God. These can also be spiritual powers such as the spirit of the times which oppose the... More if he were to try to make disciples of them. But he is not interested in such a task anyway. He wants a reputation for starting great revivals, but he is not willing to run the risk that the multitudes might become enemies and go their way.

Of course, these so-called evangelists are not disciples themselves, nor are they born again. Paul said, even in his day, “For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17.

Only the few

Jesus answered someone who wanted to follow Him but who first wanted to bid farewell to those at home, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62. Who has faith to say something like this to someone who wants to be along? The Scriptures teach us that only the few are fit for the kingdom of God, but there are many who are fit for seeking God for help in their difficulties. When Israel came into need, the whole nation repented, but once God had helped them, they went their own ways again.

There are many large assemblies in these days that have no other interests than seeking God so they will not be lost and so that He will help them in their earthlyRefers to everything of this earth, as opposed to heavenly things. Example: Earthly treasures/heavenly treasures. The earthly things pass away (are temporal), but the heavenly things are eternal. (Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 3:2; 1 John 2:17)... More difficulties. These kinds of people pay a host of preachers to strengthen them in their faith in God, who is gracious to them and will help them in spite of their bad life and will not remember their sins for Jesus’ sake.

Who can teach people to observe all things He has commanded us? And who is fit to be a discipleA disciple is another word for a follower of Christ, one who is learning to be like his Master. As a disciple you follow Jesus Christ, who is the Master and by living like Him you become more like Him. (Matthew 16:24; 1 Peter 2:21-22)... More?

The Grace that is in Christ Jesus

“When people think about grace, they usually think about the forgiveness of sins; and since we have all sinned, we all need grace.” Sigurd Bratlie opens this booklet about grace with these words. However, he goes on to describe in-depth that the grace that is in Christ Jesus means so much more than forgiveness. It also means truth and help. It teaches us not to sinTo commit sin is to consciously do something that you know goes against God’s will. This can be in word, deed, or even thought. (James 1:14-15)... More, so that we can be completely free to live a life of victory that leads to perfection.

We are human. We sinSin is anything that goes against God’s will and His laws. To commit sin is to transgress or disobey these laws. The lust to sin dwells in human nature. In other words, it is contaminated and motivated by the sinful tendencies that dwell in all people as a result of the fall into sin and disobedience in the garden of Eden. This... More. End of story?

Jesus says it is possible to come to Him without becoming His discipleA disciple is another word for a follower of Christ, one who is learning to be like his Master. As a disciple you follow Jesus Christ, who is the Master and by living like Him you become more like Him. (Matthew 16:24; 1 Peter 2:21-22)... More. Did you know this applies to most Christians?

ActiveChristianity® by Brunstad Christian Church explores how God’s Word challenges and empowers us to live 100% according to His will, so we no longer need to fall in sin, but can come to a life of victory.